Yogurt Topping

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are whippable topping compositions comprising yogurt. The compositions comprise a blend of yogurt and a whip topping emulsion. The yogurt can be made with regular, low fat or fat free milk. The fat content of the whip topping emulsion can also be varied to provide topping compositions of various fat content having a smooth texture and desirable consistency.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/287,319, filed on Dec. 17, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Whippable food products are commonly used as toppings, icings, fillings and the like for cakes and other desserts. Different approaches have been used to obtain formulations that possess desirable texture, organoleptic properties, shelf life, whippability and the like.

Yogurt is a product that has a completely different consistency than whippable toppings and icings. It also has a fundamentally different taste. Yogurt is not typically used as a topping and is not whippable. Thus, the nutritional benefits provided by yogurt are not available in current whippable toppings and icings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides yogurt-based compositions, which can be used as toppings on cakes and other desserts. The formulations are whippable and have a smooth texture and desirable consistency. The invention is based on the surprising observation that yogurt-based topping formulations can be prepared by a two-step process in which the yogurt and a whip topping emulsion are separately prepared and then combined such that microflora of the yogurt are maintained. In one embodiment, greater than 90% of the microflora are maintained. In various embodiments, greater than 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% of the microflora are maintained. It is important to use a whip topping emulsion formulation having low or no protein so that curdling of protein in the presence of yogurt is avoided. In the process of the present invention, whip topping emulsion and yogurt are blended at low temperature (any temperature from 3° C. to 15° C.). The whip topping emulsion comprises fat, sweetener, emulsifier, stabilizer, water and optionally, protein and other additives such as coloring and flavoring agents.

The blended yogurt topping formulation can be frozen for longer shelf life (at least up to one year) and upon thawing can be whipped for use as a whipped topping. The formulation can also be frozen after whipping.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless indicated otherwise, all percentages herein are weight percentages.

The present invention provides yogurt-based compositions. These compositions comprise yogurt and whip topping emulsion. The compositions can be used as toppings on desserts and other food products such as cakes and the like.

The yogurt used in the present invention can be made from fat free, low fat or whole milk to produce yogurt toppings containing from 4 to 35% fat and all integers therebetween and all percentages to the tenth decimal point between all integers from 4 to 35. In one embodiment, the fat is less than 5.5% and therefore the topping can be labeled as fat free topping where such designation is acceptable. In one embodiment, the fat is 4 to 5.5%. In one embodiment, the fat is 10 to 15% and in another embodiment, the fat is 15 to 20, or 20 to 25%. In another embodiment, the fat is 25 to 30%. In one embodiment, the milk is fat free milk, 1% fat milk, 2% fat milk or regular whole milk (3.25 to 7.5% fat) from cow, goat or buffalo milk. The milk may be fresh or reconstituted to 10 to 20% total solids.

In one embodiment, the whip topping emulsion for mixing with the yogurt is an emulsion comprising fat, sweetener, emulsifier, syrup solids (e.g., corn syrup solids), stabilizer, water and optionally, protein, salt, color and flavor.

The fat component is dairy or non-dairy based. The fat should be able to whip the finished product to a desirable consistency which is firm in texture and holds up as dessert decoration without collapsing during handling, storage and distribution. When the fat (e.g., triglyceride) component is non-dairy fat, it comprises one or more vegetable fats including, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, palm oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil or other vegetable oils or fractions thereof including stearine fractions. The fat component may be hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated. Although the product can be made with hydrogenated fats, it is desirable to use non-hydrogenated fats because it eliminates trans fats. The fat component can be from 8 to 40% and all integers therebetween. In one embodiment, the fat is from 8 to 14% for low fat whip topping emulsion and from 35 to 40% for regular whip topping emulsion and all integer values there between.

The emulsifiers in the whip topping emulsion are from 0.3 to 1.0% and all values to the tenth decimal place therebetween. Suitable emulsifiers include lecithin, hydrolyzed lecithin; mono, di, or polyglycerides of fatty acids, such as stearine and palmitin mono and diglycerides, polyoxyethylene ethers of fatty esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as the polyoxyethylene ethers of sorbitan monostearate (Polysorbate 60) or the polyoxyethylene ethers of sorbitan monooleate (Polysorbate 80); fatty esters of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitan monostearate or tristearate; polyglycerol esters of mono and diglycerides such as hexaglyceryl distearate; mono- and/or diesters of glycols such as propylene glycol monostearate, and propylene glycol monopalmitate, succinoylated monoglycerides; and the esters of carboxylic acids such as lactic, citric, and tartaric acids with the mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids such as glycerol lacto palmitate and glycerol lacto stearate, and calcium or sodium stearoyl lactylates and all members of the sucrose ester family thereof, all varieties of diacetyltartaric esters of fatty acids, “DATEMS”, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The sweeteners useful for the present invention include sugars, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides and the like. The sugars may be reducing or non-reducing sugars. The sugar component may comprise one or more sugars, such as sucrose, fructose, dextrose or trehalose. If a low sugar or sugar-free product is desired, then calorie free or low calorie sugar substitutes or intensive sweeteners can be used such as acesulfame, thaumatin aspartame, alitame, saccharin, cyclamates and trichloro sucrose. In that case, typically, bulking agents include maltodextrin and polyols such as polydextrose, maltitol, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, isomalt, lactitol, glycerin, propylene glycol and sorbitol are also used. Sweeteners are used in the present composition from 10 to 20% and all integers therebetween.

The present whip topping emulsion also has syrup solids (e.g., corn syrup solids). The syrup solids are from 10 to 20% and all integers therebetween. Other syrup solids such as, for example, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, barley malt, evaporated cane syrup (Invert), honey, concentrated fruit sweeteners granulated cane sugar and the like may also be used. It is considered that these solids contribute to the bulk solids that help in building texture and providing sweet taste and flavor to the finished product.

Stabilizers useful for the present whip topping emulsion include, for example, various gums. These gums could be natural such as plant gums or animal gums. Useful gums for this invention include gelatins, pectins, alginates, agars, carrageenans, locust beans, guars, xanthans, gellans and konjac gums. In one embodiment, the gums can be xanthan gum and/or cellulosic hydrocolloids such as cellulose gums or gels, and/or carbohydrate gums. The cellulosic gums include methylcellulose, carboxy-methylcellulose, hydroxy-propylcellulose, hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose, and microcrystalline cellulose. The amount of the gums and stabilizers can be varied from 0.3 to 1.0% and all values to the tenth decimal place therebetween as permissible under FDA guidelines.

Protein is optional in the whip topping emulsion of the present invention. It is preferable to keep the protein at 1% or lower. In one embodiment, the non-dairy fat emulsion is protein-free. In another embodiment, the protein is less than 0.5%. In another embodiment, the protein is between 0.1 to 1.0% and all values to the tenth decimal place therebetween. When used, useful protein sources include soy and dairy such as isolated sodium, potassium or calcium caseinates, milk protein concentrates or isolates, whey protein concentrates or isolates, and soy protein.

The salts useful for the present invention are any edible salts that do not interfere with other ingredients or render an undesirable taste. It is considered that salts generally act as buffers and sequestrants. Examples of useful salts are common salt (sodium chloride), and sodium, calcium and potassium: monophosphates, diphosphates, polyphosphates, citrates, chlorides, and the like. Salts are generally used from 0.1 to 0.5% and all values to the tenth decimal point therebetween.

Other ingredients that are useful for the whip topping emulsion include flavoring agents, colorants, vitamins, minerals, etc. Suitable flavoring agents can be employed to impart vanilla, cream, chocolate, coffee, maple, spice, mint, butter, caramel, fruit and other flavors. Suitable amounts include 0.1 to 0.6% and all values to the tenth decimal place therebetween. Coloring agents can be added from 0.001 to 0.05% and all values to the thousandth place therebetween.

The process of the present invention involves obtaining or making yogurt. The yogurt preferably has more than 10% total solids. In one embodiment, the total solids in the yogurt are between 10 to 20% and all integers therebetween. In various embodiments, the total solids are 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20%. In one embodiment, the yogurt has from 15 to 18% total solids. In one embodiment, the yogurt is free of, or has less than 0.1% of, gums or other stabilizing agents including pectin. Higher levels of these ingredients present in yogurt may impart sticky, adhesive or gummy texture to the finished product, which may be undesirable in the finished product.

For example, in one embodiment, the milk is pasteurized (such as at temperature 180 to 185° F.) for 5 min and then cooled to 105-110° F. Live probiotic yogurt culture (e.g., 0.01 to 0.02%) is added to the batch and the cultured milk is incubated at 105° F. for 3 to 4 hours for making yogurt. The final yogurt pH is 4.4 to 4.6. The yogurt is refrigerated overnight for cooling down to 40 to 45° F. The yogurt can be made from fat free milk (skim milk), 1% or 2% fat milk or regular fat milk.

Separately, a whip topping emulsion is prepared by mixing the various ingredients. For example, the whip topping emulsion is made using standard procedure of heating and mixing of fat, water, sugar, emulsifier, stabilizer, optionally, protein, salt, flavor and color. The heated mixture is properly homogenized and cooled (such as through plate heat exchanger) below 45° F. to obtain stable emulsion, which can be stored in a holding tank at cooled temperatures at 42 to 47° F.

The whip topping emulsion and yogurt are blended in various ratios to obtain a yogurt topping that has a desired consistency and is whippable. For example, a ratio of 2.5 to 1.0 parts of whip topping emulsion to 1 to 2.5 parts of yogurt including all ratios therebetween to obtain regular, low fat and fat free yogurt topping at low temperature (45-50° F.). In one embodiment, a ratio of 1.4:1 to 2.5:1 for whip topping emulsion to yogurt for regular fat yogurt topping (20-25% fat); 1:1.35 to 1:2.5 for low fat (10-15% fat) and 1:1.4 for fat free yogurt topping was used. Blending of the whip topping emulsion and yogurt is, preferably, carried out at low temperatures (3° C. to 15° C. or any integer therebetween). In one embodiment, the whip topping emulsion and yogurt are blended at 3 to 7° C. to obtain a yogurt topping. It is preferable not to use temperatures above 15° C. as it may affect the crystal morphology of the whip topping emulsion, which adversely affects its whipping quality and performance. Because the process is carried out at low temperatures, the inactivation of probiotic cultures is avoided, which otherwise occurs at batch pasteurization temperatures of 145° F. or higher. In one embodiment, the yogurt topping is able to maintain at least 2×10⁶ cfu per gram after incubation of 10 to 12 hrs at physiological temperature (37° C.).

The blended mixture is cooled to temperature (e.g., 3 to 10° C.) and can be frozen such that the mixture exhibits a shelf life of up to one year. The frozen and thawed product can be whipped on a mixer to obtain yogurt toppings of fat content from 4 to 35%. The yogurt toppings can have a fat content of less than 5%, from 5 to 10%, from 10 to 15%, from 15 to 20%, from 20 to 25%, from 25 to 30% and from 30 to 35%. The yogurt toppings have desirable consistency and smooth texture with 250-350% overrun and can be used as a topping on food products. The formulation has smooth shiny appearance with little or no air cell coalescence within its texture. It has firm texture and consistency such that it holds itself if turned into rosettes, flowers or animal shapes when decorating the cakes. Another yogurt product, yogurt ice-cream, does not provide those characteristics so as to be useful for decoration of cake at refrigeration or ambient temperature.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step(s) of blending the whip topping emulsion and yogurt to make a whippable food product, and optionally, cooling the whippable food product and/or aging the whippable food product and/or whipping the whippable food product and/or freezing the whippable food product and/or whipping the thawed whippable food product. In one embodiment, the method consists essentially of the step(s) of blending the whip topping emulsion and yogurt to make a whippable food product, and optionally, cooling the whippable food product and/or aging the whippable food product and/or whipping the whippable food product and/or freezing the whippable food product and/or whipping the thawed whippable food product. In one embodiment, the method consists of the step(s) of blending the whip topping emulsion and yogurt to make a whippable food product, and optionally, cooling the whippable food product and/or aging the whippable food product and/or whipping the whippable food product and/or freezing the whippable food product and/or whipping the thawed whippable food product.

In one embodiment, the mixture is whipped to an overrun of 250 to 400%. In another embodiment, the mixture is whipped to an overrun of 250 to 300%. In another embodiment, the mixture is whipped to an overrun of 270 to 400%.

The blended yogurt and whip topping emulsion can be frozen (e.g., in a freezer) for long-term storage, if needed. The frozen yogurt topping is thawed (e.g., for 12-24 hours) in the refrigerator (such as at 40-45° F.) before whipping in a mixer to obtain yogurt topping. The finished whipped product is stable on the decorated cake and in the bowl at refrigerated temperature for up to 5 days. The finished dessert with the topping (such as a cake) can be frozen for longer shelf life.

In an alternative embodiment, the yogurt topping is aged for some time (e.g., 4-8 hrs at low 5-7° C.) and then frozen or whipped (such as by whipping on a batch or continuous mixer) so as to make pre-whipped yogurt topping. The pre-whipped product can be filled in pastry bags or bowls and then frozen for up to one year.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising a mixture of yogurt and whip topping emulsion described herein. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition prepared by the methods described herein.

EXAMPLE 1 Materials & Methods

Regular fat and low fat yogurt topping was prepared by blending a portion of protein-less non-dairy topping (containing 35-40% fat) with yogurt. Thus, in one embodiment, the protein-less whip topping emulsion was mixed in the ratios shown in the table below. In various experiments, the yogurt was made with fat free, 2% fat or regular milk so that final finished product contained 21-24% fat and 13-16% fat, respectively. In one example, we used 35% fat protein-less topping for regular and low fat toppings. A 2:1 ratio for regular fat (440 g of topping+220 g of regular yogurt) resulted in 23-24% fat. Blending 260 g of topping with 400 g of regular yogurt gave a 14.5% fat (low fat) topping.

TABLE 1 The ratios of whip topping emulsion to yogurt in various fat percentage yogurt toppings. Protein Protein whip Ratio whip from 15% from topping topping total solids Skim Milk emulsion Yogurt emulsion:yogurt Yogurt, yogurt wt wt wt % (9% solids) Yogurt 380 280 1.35:1 2.23 1.34 Topping 20% fat Yogurt 470 190 2.47:1 1.51 0.91 Topping 25% fat Yogurt 188 472 1:2.5  3.75 2.25 Topping 10% Fat Yogurt 282 378 1:1.34 3.01 1.80 Topping 15% Fat Yogurt 275 385 1:1.4  3.31 1.99 Topping 5% fat * In 25, 20 and 10% fat toppings, the 35% whip topping emulsion was used for the blend and in 5% fat topping, we used 12% whip topping emulsion for the blend

The composition of the protein-less whip topping emulsion is shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 The composition of Regular Fat whip topping emulsion % Range for Preferred Ingredients, % Ingredients Range Water 40-55% 45-50% Fat 35-40%  30-8% Emulsifier 0.3-1.0%  0.2-0.4%  Sweetener 10-20% 12-18% Corn syrup solids 10-20% 12-18% Stabilizer 0.3-1.0   0.4-0.8% 

TABLE 2 The composition of Low Fat whip topping emulsion % Range for Preferred Ingredients, % Ingredients Range Water 40-60% 45-55% Fat  8-14% 10-12% Protein  0-1.0% 0.6-0.8%  Emulsifier 0.3-1.0%  0.2-0.4%  Sweetener 10-20% 12-18% Corn syrup solids 15-25% 18-22% Stabilizer 0.3-1.0   0.4-0.8% 

TABLE 3 Whip topping emulsion with 35% fat Ingredients Percentage Water 43.89 Beta-Carotene (Color) 0.002 Rosemary Flavor 0.004 Polysorbate 60 0.30 Polyglycerol Esters 0.14 Salt 0.20 Sodium Citrate 0.10 Disodium phosphate 0.10 Sugar 19.60 Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose 0.40 Palm Kernel Oil 35.00 Lecithin 0.100 Flavor vanilla 0.150 Flavor Cream 0.015 Total 100.000 Total Solids, % 56.11

TABLE 4 Whip topping emulsion with 12% fat Ingredients Percentage Stearin Fraction Palm Kernel Oil 12.00 Sodium Stearoyl Lactilate 0.4600 Sugar 12.800 Corn Syrup Solids 22.70 Sodium Caseinate 0.6000 Methyl Cellulose 0.4000 Dipotassium hydrogen Phosphate 0.1200 Salt 0.1000 Xanthan Gum 0.0400 Flavor cream 0.2000 Water 50.60 Total 100.00 Total Solids, % 49.40

Salt, color and flavor are optional and when used, can be used in the range of 0.1 to 0.5%, 0.001 to 0.05% and 0.1 to 0.6% respectively. In one embodiment, salt, color and flavor are in the range of 0.2 to 0.4%, 0.01 to 0.03%, and 0.1 to 0.6% respectively.

For making fat free yogurt topping (4 to 5% fat), it is preferred to make low fat whip topping emulsion with fully hydrogenated vegetable oil. However, the topping may or may not contain some protein in the finished product. For example, in one embodiment, a topping with special stearin fractionated palm kernel oil containing 12% fat and 0.6% protein was used. It was blended in the ratio of 42% of topping to 58% of yogurt (275 g of topping+385 g of yogurt) resulting in 5% fat in the final product.

The composition of low fat topping used for making fat free yogurt topping is shown in Table 2.

In one embodiment, the yogurt making process was as follows:

-   -   1. Regular fat, 2% fat, skim milk (9%, total solids) or         reconstituted skim milk (15% total solids) was heated to 80 to         85° C. and held for 5 minutes.     -   2. The heated milk was cooled down to 41 to 45° C.     -   3. It was inoculated with 0.01% freeze dried yogurt culture         (Danisco Yo Mix—511) and mixed well.     -   4. The milk was incubated at 41 to 43° C. for 4 to 5 hours for         yogurt fermentation. Once the fermented yogurt milk pH dropped         to 4.4 to 4.6, the product was stored at refrigeration         temperature (5 to 8° C.) until further use for making yogurt         topping.         Blending Whip Topping Emulsion with Fermented Yogurt:

Whip topping emulsion was blended with fermented yogurt in various ratios as shown in Table 3 to make regular fat, low fat and fat free yogurt topping. Fat free yogurt topping as used herein means topping having 5% or less fat (can be as low as 1%). Thus, to obtain low fat yogurt topping, the amount of yogurt and the non-dairy topping can be adjusted to as to keep the total fat to 5% or less.

In a variation of this formulation, the yogurt topping were made with added stanol esters and sterol esters (Corowise, SEC 101) to give 0.6 g of sterol esters per 9 g serving size. The topping containing stanol/sterol esters help lower the cholesterol and are considered good for the health. In another case, the non-dairy topping were made by using non-hydrogenated vegetable oil and thus finished product had no trans fat.

TABLE 5 Ratio of blending whip topping emulsion and yogurt before freezing: Whip topping Yogurt Topping emulsion Yogurt Total Regular Fat Yogurt 55-70% 30-45% 100 Topping Low Fat Yogurt Topping 40-50% 50-60% 100 Fat Free Yogurt Topping 40-42% 58-60% 100 * In Regular and Low Fat toppings, the 35% fat topping was used for the blend ** In Fat Free Topping, we used 12% fat topping for the blend

In the above table, all values within the indicated ranges of values are included. Thus, for example, when a range of 55-70% is provided, then all values (integers as well as to the tenth decimal place) from 55 to 70 are included.

Whipping

The blended yogurt product was either refrigerated or frozen. The product can be frozen for up to 365 days at −18° C. The refrigerated product was whipped on Hobart or Kitchen Aid mixer. The frozen product was thawed at refrigeration temperature (5 to 7° C.) for up to 24 hours before whipping for getting best results. The product may also be whipped on a continuous mixer for large volume. The yogurt topping may be whipped prior to freezing.

Results:

The whipped product was evaluated for whipping time, % over run, rosette time or bag time. The product was used for decorating the cakes and its stability was evaluated in terms of cracking, bulging and bubbling. Some product was stored in the refrigerated bowl and it was evaluated for change in air cell coalescence, serum separation (syneresis) and cracking. A summary of the yogurt topping evaluation results is shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Evaluation results summary of Yogurt Toppings Whip % Time, Over Rosette Stability Stability in Products min run Time, min Sensory of Cake Bowl 1. Regular Yogurt 6:00-9:00 300-360% 25-40 Smooth, Good Good Topping (20-25% texture, fat) good yogurt taste and flavor 2. Low Fat Yogurt 5:00-8:00 min 270-330 25-35 Smooth, Good Good Topping (10-15% good taste fat) & flavor 3. Fat Free Yogurt 10:00-14:00 280-320% 20-30 Smooth, Good Good Topping (4-5.5% slightly soft fat) in texture, good yogurt flavor 4. Yogurt Topping 5:00-7:00 360-390 Good, no Slightly soft Good Good with Sterol Esters after taste texture (Regular or low fat) 5. Yogurt topping 6:00-8:00 380-400 Good taste Smooth Good Good with no trans fat and flavor Regular or low fat

The results were as follows:

-   -   Yogurt toppings (Regular, low fat and free fat) had good taste,         texture and dairy yogurt flavor. All samples had good % overrun         (270-400%) and the whipped samples were stable in the bowl for         up to 24-48 hours. The cakes decorated with whipped yogurt         topping had good stability with shelf life up to 5-7 days.     -   Yogurt containing sterol esters also had good % overrun, taste         and flavor with slightly soft texture     -   Yogurt topping with non-hydrogenated vegetable oil also had         smooth texture, good taste & flavor with acceptable whipping         performance.

While the present invention has been described through specific embodiments and examples, routine modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention. 

1. A method for making a whippable food product comprising yogurt, said method comprising the steps of blending a whip topping emulsion comprising 8 to 40% fat, 0.3 to 1.0% emulsifiers, 10 to 20% sweetener, 10 to 25% syrup solids, 0.3 to 1.0% stabilizers, 40-60% water, and optionally, 0.1 to 1.0% protein, with yogurt under conditions such that the microflora of yogurt is not destroyed, wherein the whippable food product can be whipped to an overrun of 270 to 400%.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the whip topping emulsion and the yogurt are blended at a ratio of 3:1 to 1:3.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the whip topping emulsion and the yogurt are blended at a ratio of 1.35:1 to 1:1.35.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the yogurt is made with regular fat milk, 2% fat milk, 1% fat milk or skim milk.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the whip topping emulsion comprises 30 to 40% fat.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the whip topping emulsion comprises 8 to 14% fat.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the whip topping emulsion comprises 0.1 to 1.0% protein, 0.2 to 0.4% emulsifier, 12 to 18% sugar, 12 to 18% corn syrup solids, 0.4 to 0.8% and stabilizers.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the whip topping emulsion is protein-free.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the total solids in the yogurt are 15 to 18%.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fat is vegetable fat.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the fat is selected from the group consisting of palm kernel oil, palm oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, corn oil and sunflower oil.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the syrup solids is corn syrup solids.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of freezing the whippable food product.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the whippable food product is whipped before freezing.
 15. A whipped product prepared from the food product of claim
 1. 16. A confection comprising the whipped product of claim
 15. 17. The confection of claim 16, wherein the confection is a dessert.
 18. The confection of claim 17, wherein the dessert is a cake, cookie, pastry, ice-cream cake, cheese cake, éclair or cream puff. 